Stem Cell Disease Model Clarifies Bone Cancer Trigger
Using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), a team of researchers has gained new insight into genetic changes that may turn a well-known anti-cancer signaling gene into a driver of risk for bone cancers, where the survival rate has not improved in 40 years despite treatment advances. [Press release from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai discussing online publication in Cell] Press Release|Abstract|Graphical Abstract
ERRs Mediate a Metabolic Switch Required for Somatic Cell Reprogramming to Pluripotency
Investigators showed that the estrogen-related nuclear receptors (ERRα and ERRγ) and their partnered co-factors PGC-1α and PGC-1β are transiently induced at an early stage, resulting in a burst of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) activity. Upregulation of ERRα or ERRγ is required for the OXPHOS burst in both human and mouse cells, respectively, as well as induced pluripotent stem cell generation itself. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract|Graphical Abstract
A Cohesin–Oct4 Complex Mediates Sox Enhancers to Prime an Early Embryonic Lineage
Scientists reported a chromatin-remodeling mechanism and enhancer function that mediate cell fate switching. Oct4 alters the higher-order chromatin structure at both Sox-2 and Sox-17 loci. Oct4 titrates out cohesin and switches the Sox-17 enhancer from a locked to an active state. [Nat Commun] Abstract
Heightened Potency of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Lines Created by Transient BMP4 Exposure
Investigators report the acquisition of a unique stem cell phenotype by both human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) in response to transient exposure to bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) plus inhibitors of ACTIVIN signaling and FGF2, followed by trypsin dissociation and recovery of colonies capable of growing on a gelatin substratum in standard medium for human PSCs at low but not high FGF2 concentrations. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract|Full Article
Molecular Signature of Erythroblast Enucleation in Human Embryonic Stem Cells
To investigate erythroblast enucleation, researchers studied the erythroid differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). They demonstrated that terminal erythroid differentiation from hESCs is directly dependent on the age of the embryoid bodies. [Stem Cells] Abstract
Elimination of Tumorigenic Human Pluripotent Stem Cells by a Recombinant Lectin-Toxin Fusion Protein
Researchers developed a recombinant lectin-toxin fusion protein of rBC2LCN with a catalytic domain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A, termed rBC2LCN-PE23. rBC2LCN-PE23 bound to human pluripotent stem cells, followed by its internalization, allowing intracellular delivery of a cargo of cytotoxic protein. The addition of rBC2LCN-PE23 to the culture medium was sufficient to completely eliminate human pluripotent stem cells. [Stem Cell Reports]
Full Article|Graphical Abstract
REVIEWS
Establishing Pluripotency in Early Development
The authors review recent progress in the understanding of chromatin state and regulation of gene expression in the context of embryonic development in vertebrates, in particular mouse, Xenopus and zebrafish. They include work on mouse embryonic stem cells and highlight work that illustrates how early embryonic dynamics establish gene regulatory networks and the state of pluripotency. [Biochim Biophys Acta]
Full Article
Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the ESC & iPSC research field.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Mount Sinai Receives $8.8 Million Grant to Further Stem Cell Research
An $8.8 million grant from the New York State Stem Cell Science Program will accelerate efforts by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai to develop new stem-cell-based treatments for chemotherapy-resistant blood cancer and other genetic blood disorders. [Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai] Press Release
California Launches Initiative to Advance Precision Medicine
Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the creation of the California Initiative to Advance Precision Medicine to better understand disease through advanced computing and spur public-private collaboration throughout the state. UCSF will host the two-year initiative, in conjunction with UC Health, with $3 million in startup funds from the state. [State of California] Press Release
African Hub Set Up to Boost Research Autonomy
African scientists look set to gain greater control over research in their own countries, if an ambitious plan for a regional hub to award grants and develop research capacity bears fruit. [Nature News] Editorial
Recruit Top Talent:
Reach more than 60,000 potential candidates by posting
your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.
Have we missed an important article or publication in ESC & iPSC News? Click here to submit!
